Manhattan

There's been a lot of old school cocktails that have been roused from hibernation lately, but the Manhattan was never one really one of them. While the drink is definitely a classic, it's never really been out of fashion. Why? Because it works like a charm. A timeless tipple that's been around since the late 1800s, it's made with rye whiskey, bourbon's sharper-tongued cousin. When you want a stiff drink at the end of a long day, it's got you covered. And if you want to make a tasty cocktail at home without going to too much trouble, it's your best bet because only three ingredients (and a garnish) are required. You don't even need a shaker, since any drink made from only spirits should be stirred, not shaken.

The Recipe

Ingredients

3 oz. rye whiskey

1 ½ oz. sweet vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 maraschino cherry

Technique

Add all your liquids to a mixing glass with a few cubes of ice.

Stir to chill until an icy frost forms on the outside of the glass.

Strain into a glass and garnish with a quality maraschino cherry like Luxardo.

Variations

Some people prefer orange bitters or garnishingthe cocktail with a twist of orange peel.